When Bonaparte suddenly returned from the Egyptian campaign in October 1799, he repeatedly tried to win Gohier, who was then president of the Directory, to his political projects. After Bonaparte's 18 Brumaire (9 November 1799) coup d'état, Gohier refused to resign his office, and sought an audience with Bonaparte at the Tuileries Palace, in an attempt to save the Republic. He was put under arrest and escorted to the Luxembourg Palace. On his release, two days later, he retired to his estate at Eaubonne.